Neuroengineering Approaches in Rett Syndrome: Eye Tracking, Virtual Reality, Brain–Computer Interfaces, and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Rett syndrome (RTT) can restrict the motor and verbal responses needed for conventional assessment and rehabilitation. This non-systematic critical narrative review examines human RTT evidence on eye tracking, virtual reality (VR), electroencephalography (EEG), brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), wearable sensing, and non-invasive brain stimulation, with an evidence horizon of 25 August 2026. The searches were non-exhaustive, and the selected evidence inventory does not constitute a systematic census of all eligible studies. In the author’s interpretation of heterogeneous evidence, eye-gaze augmentative and alternative communication has the clearest implementation experience in selected individuals; this does not constitute a comparative efficacy grade. Gaze-adapted assessment requires task-specific validation. Small VR studies provide feasibility and outcome-specific controlled findings, without established durable participation benefits. EEG studies support candidate biomarkers and task-state measurement, rather than demonstrated therapeutic benefit. No peer-reviewed RTT-specific study demonstrating clinical efficacy of real-time EEG command control was located by the stated searches; programme reports, conference material, and registry eligibility are distinguished from such evidence. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) remains a physiological probe, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) an experimental adjunct supported by limited controlled evidence, and transcranial photobiomodulation a therapeutic hypothesis. A proposed multimodal framework separates documented component uses from unvalidated integration and adaptive links.

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Journal
Applied Sciences
Published
2026-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/app162110622
Primary Topic
Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Type
article
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article

Neuroengineering Approaches in Rett Syndrome: Eye Tracking, Virtual Reality, Brain–Computer Interfaces, and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Rosa Angela Fabio
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Applied Sciences
Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
article

Neuroengineering Approaches in Rett Syndrome: Eye Tracking, Virtual Reality, Brain–Computer Interfaces, and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Rosa Angela Fabio
article en

Abstract

Rett syndrome (RTT) can restrict the motor and verbal responses needed for conventional assessment and rehabilitation. This non-systematic critical narrative review examines human RTT evidence on eye tracking, virtual reality (VR), electroencephalography (EEG), brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), wearable sensing, and non-invasive brain stimulation, with an evidence horizon of 25 August 2026. The searches were non-exhaustive, and the selected evidence inventory does not constitute a systematic census of all eligible studies. In the author’s interpretation of heterogeneous evidence, eye-gaze augmentative and alternative communication has the clearest implementation experience in selected individuals; this does not constitute a comparative efficacy grade. Gaze-adapted assessment requires task-specific validation. Small VR studies provide feasibility and outcome-specific controlled findings, without established durable participation benefits. EEG studies support candidate biomarkers and task-state measurement, rather than demonstrated therapeutic benefit. No peer-reviewed RTT-specific study demonstrating clinical efficacy of real-time EEG command control was located by the stated searches; programme reports, conference material, and registry eligibility are distinguished from such evidence. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) remains a physiological probe, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) an experimental adjunct supported by limited controlled evidence, and transcranial photobiomodulation a therapeutic hypothesis. A proposed multimodal framework separates documented component uses from unvalidated integration and adaptive links.

Applied SciencesVol. 16(21)
University of Messina (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "G. Martino" (IT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
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Neuroengineering Approaches in Rett Syndrome: Eye Tracking, Virtual Reality, Brain–Computer Interfaces, and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation — Rosa Angela Fabio · Applied Sciences (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS